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Guides you through the decision to have catheter ablation for the heart rhythm problem supraventricular tachycardia. Lists benefits and risks of catheter ablation and medical therapy. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Guides you through the decision to have catheter ablation for the heart rhythm problem supraventricular tachycardia. Lists benefits and risks of catheter ablation and medical therapy. Includes interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Supraventricular Tachycardia: Should I Have Catheter Ablation?

You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.

Supraventricular Tachycardia: Should I Have Catheter Ablation?

Your options

Have catheter ablation.

Don't have catheter ablation.

Key points to remember

Catheter ablation—a procedure that treats the heart rate problem called supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)—might be done if you have symptoms that bother you a lot and you do not want to take medicine, or medicine has not worked.

Ablation works well to stop SVT.

If the first ablation does not get rid of SVT, you may need to have it done a second time. A second ablation usually gets rid of SVT.

Catheter ablation is considered safe. It has some serious
risks, but they are rare.

Normally, your heart
has a strong, steady beat. That beat is controlled by the heart's electrical
system. Sometimes that system does not work right, causing a heartbeat that is too fast. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is one type of fast heart rate.

Catheter ablation is a way to get into your
heart—without surgery—and fix the electrical problem. It's like working on the spark
plugs in your car without having to open the hood.

It's done in a hospital.

The
doctor inserts thin, flexible wires called catheters into a vein, usually
in the groin or neck. Then the doctor threads the catheters up into your heart.

X-rays and other images of the heart help the doctor
see where to move the catheters.

The catheters use extreme heat or cold to destroy the areas in your heart that are causing the
electrical problem.

It may seem like a bad idea to destroy parts of your
heart on purpose. But the areas that are destroyed are very tiny and
don't affect your heart's ability to do its job.

Catheter ablation might be done if you have symptoms that bother you a lot, you don't want to take heart rhythm medicine, or medicine has not worked for you.

This treatment does
have some serious risks, but they are rare.
Many people decide to have ablation because they
hope to feel much better afterward. That hope is worth the risks to them.
But the risks may not be worth it for people who have few symptoms.

Catheter ablation works well to stop supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and the symptoms it causes.

Catheter ablation stops SVT in about 95 to 98 people out of 100.1, 2 This means that ablation might not work for 2 to 5 people out of 100.

There is a low risk that the first ablation will not get rid of SVT completely. SVT might come back in 1 to 7 people out of 100.1, 2 This means that the problem might not come back in 93 to 99 people out of 100. A second ablation usually gets rid of SVT.

Overall, problems might happen in about 1 to 2 people out of 100.1 This means that about 98 to 99 people out of 100 will not have problems. If problems happen during and soon after the procedure, your doctor is prepared to fix them right away.

Your doctor can help you decide whether the possible benefits of ablation outweigh these risks:

Minor problems. Minor problems might happen because of the catheter that was inserted in a vein. They include minor pain, bleeding, and bruising.

Pacemaker placement. If there is damage to the heart's electrical system during the procedure, you will need a pacemaker. This happens in about 1 out of 100 people.1 This
means that 99 out of 100 people will not need a pacemaker. With some types of SVT, where the abnormal cells are not close to the heart's electrical system, there is a smaller risk of needing a pacemaker.

Serious problems. Serious problems—such as heart attack, stroke, or damage to the heart—are rare. But they are more likely with certain types of SVT. Your doctor can help you know your risk. Serious problems happen to about 2 people out of 100.1 This means that about 98 people out of 100 have no serious problems. Serious problems that might happen include dangerous blood clots in the lungs.

Death. The risk of death from the procedure is very rare. It happens to about 2 out of 1,000 people.1 This means that 998 out of 1,000 people don't die from the procedure.

Weighing the risks and benefits of catheter ablation

The benefits may outweigh the risks if:

The risks may outweigh the benefits if:

You have
symptoms that bother you a lot.

You don't want to take heart rhythm medicines.

Heart rhythm medicines aren't
helping.

Medicines help, but their side effects bother you a
lot.

You can't take the medicines because of other health
problems.

You have only mild symptoms that don't
really bother you.

You prefer to try heart rhythm medicines.

You aren't bothered by side effects of
heart rhythm medicines.

Compare your options

Compare

What is usually involved?

What are the benefits?

What are the risks and side effects?

Have catheter ablationHave catheter
ablation

The treatment is done in a hospital and takes 2 to 6
hours.

You probably won't
be fully awake during the treatment. You may be
lightly sedated or completely asleep.

You may have some discomfort, either from having to lie still
or from the ablation itself. Talk to your doctor if you are worried about
this.

Personal stories about considering
catheter ablation

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

I started
having episodes of really fast heartbeats 2 years ago. It's this pounding in my
chest—very scary. Medicines haven't really helped. I hate the idea of having a
procedure like this. But I'm more afraid of the pounding in my chest. I'm going
to try catheter ablation.

Will, age 36

I know that
catheter ablation usually works really well for my type of heart problem. But
no one can guarantee that it's completely safe. I'm not ready to take any more
risks with my body. I'm going to keep using medicines to treat my fast
heartbeat.

Juan, age
72

I don't like the idea of taking the rhythm medicines. I would rather have the procedure and fix this problem for good.

Betty, age 57

I'm not really bothered by my symptoms when I have an episode. I can usually stop it with vagal maneuvers like coughing. For now, I don't think I need to have this procedure.

Paula, age 48

What matters most to you?

Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.

Reasons to have catheter ablation

Reasons not to have
catheter ablation

I'm not worried about having a procedure that involves my heart.

I'm very worried about having a procedure that involves my heart.

More important

Equally important

More important

I'm bothered a lot by my symptoms.

My symptoms don't bother me.

More important

Equally important

More important

I don't want to have to take a heart rhythm medicine.

I want to try medicine to relieve my symptoms.

More important

Equally important

More important

The risks of ablation don't bother me as much as the risks of taking medicine.

I prefer the risks of taking medicine over the risks of having catheter ablation.

More important

Equally important

More important

My other important reasons:

My other important reasons:

More important

Equally important

More important

Where are you leaning now?

Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.

Having catheter ablation

NOT having catheter ablation

Leaning toward

Undecided

Leaning toward

What else do you need to make your decision?

Check the facts

1.

Does catheter ablation work well for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)?

You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.

Supraventricular Tachycardia: Should I Have Catheter Ablation?

Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.

Get the facts

Compare your options

What matters most to you?

Where are you leaning now?

What else do you need to make your decision?

1. Get the Facts

Your options

Have catheter ablation.

Don't have catheter ablation.

Key points to remember

Catheter ablation—a procedure that treats the heart rate problem called supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)—might be done if you have symptoms that bother you a lot and you do not want to take medicine, or medicine has not worked.

Ablation works well to stop SVT.

If the first ablation does not get rid of SVT, you may need to have it done a second time. A second ablation usually gets rid of SVT.

Catheter ablation is considered safe. It has some serious
risks, but they are rare.

FAQs

What is catheter ablation?

Normally, your heart
has a strong, steady beat. That beat is controlled by the heart's electrical
system. Sometimes that system does not work right, causing a heartbeat that is too fast. Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is one type of fast heart rate.

Catheter ablation is a way to get into your
heart—without surgery—and fix the electrical problem. It's like working on the spark
plugs in your car without having to open the hood.

It's done in a hospital.

The
doctor inserts thin, flexible wires called catheters into a vein, usually
in the groin or neck. Then the doctor threads the catheters up into your heart.

X-rays and other images of the heart help the doctor
see where to move the catheters.

The catheters use extreme heat or cold to destroy the areas in your heart that are causing the
electrical problem.

It may seem like a bad idea to destroy parts of your
heart on purpose. But the areas that are destroyed are very tiny and
don't affect your heart's ability to do its job.

When is catheter ablation done?

Catheter ablation might be done if you have symptoms that bother you a lot, you don't want to take heart rhythm medicine, or medicine has not worked for you.

This treatment does
have some serious risks, but they are rare.
Many people decide to have ablation because they
hope to feel much better afterward. That hope is worth the risks to them.
But the risks may not be worth it for people who have few symptoms.

Certain people shouldn't have ablation

Ablation
isn't a choice for some people, including those who:

Aren't able to lie still or cooperate with
the doctor doing the test.

Have a history of bleeding
problems.

How well does catheter ablation work?

Catheter ablation works well to stop supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and the symptoms it causes.

Catheter ablation stops SVT in about 95 to 98 people out of 100.1, 2 This means that ablation might not work for 2 to 5 people out of 100.

There is a low risk that the first ablation will not get rid of SVT completely. SVT might come back in 1 to 7 people out of 100.1, 2 This means that the problem might not come back in 93 to 99 people out of 100. A second ablation usually gets rid of SVT.

What are the risks?

Catheter ablation is considered a safe procedure.

Overall, problems might happen in about 1 to 2 people out of 100.1 This means that about 98 to 99 people out of 100 will not have problems. If problems happen during and soon after the procedure, your doctor is prepared to fix them right away.

Your doctor can help you decide whether the possible benefits of ablation outweigh these risks:

Minor problems. Minor problems might happen because of the catheter that was inserted in a vein. They include minor pain, bleeding, and bruising.

Pacemaker placement. If there is damage to the heart's electrical system during the procedure, you will need a pacemaker. This happens in about 1 out of 100 people.1 This
means that 99 out of 100 people will not need a pacemaker. With some types of SVT, where the abnormal cells are not close to the heart's electrical system, there is a smaller risk of needing a pacemaker.

Serious problems. Serious problems—such as heart attack, stroke, or damage to the heart—are rare. But they are more likely with certain types of SVT. Your doctor can help you know your risk. Serious problems happen to about 2 people out of 100.1 This means that about 98 people out of 100 have no serious problems. Serious problems that might happen include dangerous blood clots in the lungs.

Death. The risk of death from the procedure is very rare. It happens to about 2 out of 1,000 people.1 This means that 998 out of 1,000 people don't die from the procedure.

Weighing the risks and benefits of catheter ablation

The benefits may outweigh the risks if:

The risks may outweigh the benefits if:

You have
symptoms that bother you a lot.

You don't want to take heart rhythm medicines.

Heart rhythm medicines aren't
helping.

Medicines help, but their side effects bother you a
lot.

You can't take the medicines because of other health
problems.

You have only mild symptoms that don't
really bother you.

You prefer to try heart rhythm medicines.

You aren't bothered by side effects of
heart rhythm medicines.

2. Compare your options

Have catheter
ablation

Don't have catheter ablation

What is usually involved?

The treatment is done in a hospital and takes 2 to 6
hours.

You probably won't
be fully awake during the treatment. You may be
lightly sedated or completely asleep.

You may have some discomfort, either from having to lie still
or from the ablation itself. Talk to your doctor if you are worried about
this.

Many people go home the same day.

You try vagal maneuvers, such as coughing or holding your breath and bearing down, to relieve symptoms.

If ablation doesn't work the first
time, you may have to have it done again.

You continue to have symptoms.

Heart rhythm medicines may
increase your risk of getting a more serious heart rate problem. You will need
frequent checkups so your doctor can watch you closely while you take these
medicines.

Personal stories

Are you interested in what others decided to do? Many people have faced this decision. These
personal stories
may help you decide.

Personal stories about considering
catheter ablation

These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.

"I started having episodes of really fast heartbeats 2 years ago. It's this pounding in my chest—very scary. Medicines haven't really helped. I hate the idea of having a procedure like this. But I'm more afraid of the pounding in my chest. I'm going to try catheter ablation."

— Will, age 36

"I know that catheter ablation usually works really well for my type of heart problem. But no one can guarantee that it's completely safe. I'm not ready to take any more risks with my body. I'm going to keep using medicines to treat my fast heartbeat."

— Juan, age
72

"I don't like the idea of taking the rhythm medicines. I would rather have the procedure and fix this problem for good."

— Betty, age 57

"I'm not really bothered by my symptoms when I have an episode. I can usually stop it with vagal maneuvers like coughing. For now, I don't think I need to have this procedure."

— Paula, age 48

3. What matters most to you?

Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.

Reasons to have catheter ablation

Reasons not to have
catheter ablation

I'm not worried about having a procedure that involves my heart.

I'm very worried about having a procedure that involves my heart.

More important

Equally important

More important

I'm bothered a lot by my symptoms.

My symptoms don't bother me.

More important

Equally important

More important

I don't want to have to take a heart rhythm medicine.

I want to try medicine to relieve my symptoms.

More important

Equally important

More important

The risks of ablation don't bother me as much as the risks of taking medicine.

I prefer the risks of taking medicine over the risks of having catheter ablation.

More important

Equally important

More important

My other important reasons:

My other important reasons:

More important

Equally important

More important

4. Where are you leaning now?

Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.

Having catheter ablation

NOT having catheter ablation

Leaning toward

Undecided

Leaning toward

5. What else do you need to make your decision?

Check the facts

1.
Does catheter ablation work well for supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)?

Yes

No

I'm not sure

That's right. Catheter ablation does work well to treat SVT.

2.
Is catheter ablation the only treatment to relieve symptoms of SVT?

Yes

No

I'm not sure

That's correct. Some people can relieve their symptoms with vagal maneuvers or by taking heart rhythm medicine.

3.
If ablation doesn't work the first time, can it be done again?

Yes

No

I'm not sure

That's right. You may need to have it done a second time. A second ablation usually works.

Decide what's next

1.
Do you understand the options available to you?

Yes

No

2.
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?

Yes

No

3.
Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?

Yes

No

Certainty

1.
How sure do you feel right now about your decision?

Not sure at all

Somewhat sure

Very sure

2.
Check what you need to do before you make this decision.

I'm ready to take action.

I want to discuss the options with others.

I want to learn more about my options.

3.
Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps.

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